Aberdeen star Darren Mackie: I'll repay boss with goals if he shows faith by playing me

STRIKER Darren Mackie believes he can end Aberdeen's goal drought if Craig Brown gives him the chance.

STRIKER Darren Mackie believes he can end Aberdeen's goal drought if Craig Brown gives him the chance.

The 30-year-old has become a bit player under the Dons boss without a start this year and only five all season.

And the club's longest-serving player knows the sun's going down on his career unless he gets the call.

The Pittodrie side face an uphill battle to clinch a top six place unless their misfiring frontmen can improve on a miserable return of four goals in their last seven games.

Mackie, in his testimonial year, maintained he can find the net and fire his hometown side to their target at the business end of the league.

He said: "It's frustrating. I started a few games at the beginning of the season but since then I haven't been in the team. I'd love to be playing regularly but it isn't happening at this time.

"I'm just working hard to get back into the team and see what happens from there.

"Obviously, if I'm not playing, it's going to be hard to be offered another contract. But I hope to persuade the manager to keep me.

"I felt we looked a bit more dangerous and started to get half chances when I came on against St Johnstone last week. I've made no secret of the fact I would like to get back in the team but the manager picks the side.

"Scott Vernon's goals are into double figures for the season but if I'd been given a chance, I would be close to that as well.

"It's all the more frustrating because the team's not scoring. We are defending better and not conceding goals like we were early in the season.

"I am sure Scott and I could play well together.

"It was tough for me at the start of the season. I missed most of last term with injury and it took a while for me to get my sharpness back. Thankfully, I've been fine this season and I am fit and ready to go if I get the chance.

"We are keeping a lot of clean sheets but have only scored four in our last seven league games.

"I would love to be given the chance because I have no doubt I would get goals. I'd love to stay here as I have always supported the club. Some people say a fresh start would be good but I love being here. But it's tough to keep training knowing you aren't likely to start at the weekend.

"I have always had the mentality that I will give my all in training or in games.

"Moping about won't get you anywhere so I am just keeping my head down hoping to earn the chance to play."

Mackie is convinced Aberdeen can overcome the odds and claim a top-half spot because their injury crisis is easing.

He said: "We didn't have the best of starts but are picking up points now even if it's not as many as we would have if we'd been scoring goals.

"There's been a bad run of injuries but once we get a few boys back we can finish in the top six. There is a lot of positivity about where the club is going now and the manager has got a great squad of players. It's just a question of getting the right shape and blend to the team but that's been hard with so many key players out.

"It's a massive match against St Mirren as games are running out before the split and we can't afford to lose ground.

"The game down there at the start of the season was probably our worst in the league so far.

"I played in that and everyone had an off day so we need to make sure that doesn't happen again as we need the win."

Brown revealed that the Dons hit rock bottom in the defeat at Paisley and is out for revenge.

He said: "St Mirren are a good side, especially at home, and have one or two players who can cause us problems.

"We lost there earlier in the season in what was our poorest game, we want to rectify that."